Boonah votes, on a design that will be off the wall

Members of the community, specifically those in Boonah, are invited to help choose a  preferred mural design that will transform a grey block wall in the Boonah town centre into a work of art.

Following a call by Council for expressions of interest to create a mural in Walter Street that captures the spirit of Boonah, the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group selected three finalists from the 15 submissions received with members of the community now invited to cast their vote for their preferred design.

Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group Chair Cr Michael Enright encouraged community members to have their say in choosing their preferred artwork, which will add vibrancy to the streetscape behind Council’s Boonah Customer Service Centre.

“The block wall facing Walter Street represents an enormous blank canvas for a spectacular public artwork that will be admired by the Boonah community and act as a wayfinder for visitors to the town,” he said.

“The town centre of Boonah has been transformed through a Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages revitalisation program that has featured engaging public art and the Walter Street mural will also speak to our region’s rich heritage and identity.”

Wildlife for which the Scenic Rim is renowned, and horses which helped build the region, feature in the short-listed designs by artists Ash Taylor, Yannick Blattner and Colleen Lavender.

Ash Taylor’s design incorporates the glossy black cockatoo and the spotted quoll to highlight the environmental significance of the Scenic Rim.

Yannick Blattner's design also aims to raise awareness of the community’s connection with the environment through the common experience of watching rainbow lorikeets frolicking in gum trees.

Colleen Lavender’s vision for a series of aluminium sculptures honours the role of horses in our pioneering past, from hauling timber to tilling the soil, transporting early settlers and serving Australia in World War One.

“Measuring 30 metres by 2.5 metres, the wall facing Walter Street will become one of the largest public artworks in our region,” Cr Enright said.

“Add to this the two side sections of 11 metres and 3.5 metres, giving a total length of more than 44 metres, and Boonah will have a mural that will become another Scenic Rim landmark.”

The three design concepts can be viewed at the Boonah Library during opening hours and members of the community can provide feedback through the voting slips next to the display or via Council’s website https://letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/walter-street-mural from Monday 23 May until Friday 3 June 2022.

The community’s input will be considered by the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group in recommending the final design for the Boonah mural to Council.

“I hope everyone will take the opportunity to have their say in a defining artwork for our community,” Cr Enright said.